Unsure of which Master's Program to Pursue

  • #1
Hello,

I'm entering my final year of Mechanical Engineering undergrad. I've always had interest in aerospace like most others, but opted to avoid overspecializing at the beginning. During my undergrad career I've participated in clubs involving space and satellites, and I participated in research during my semesters in fluid dynamics for a year, and I'm working as a summer student researcher in aerodynamics and flow control. Essentially supplementing the Mechanical Engineering experience with exposure to aerospace. But now I'm unsure whether to pursue Aerospace or Mechanical Master's. My interests were initially aerodynamics but they're now slowly broadening and I'm interested in a lot of things in the Aerospace industry (or even other industries like automotive, but my passion still lies mostly in aerospace), and I want to keep my options open. I'm asking because the universities which I am looking at has both aerospace and mechanical engineering graduate departments and I can only apply to one of them.

My concern is employability, so would it matter if I chose either ME or AE for a Master's program? Aerospace degree is obviously not as versatile as Mechanical, but would I still face such problems Aerospace majors face, considering I would already have a Mechanical Bachelor's? What is the difference, if I was to pursue a Master's in Aerospace supplemented with courses in heat transfer/kinematics/composites, than compared to a Master's in Mechanical but focusing on fluid/aero dynamics research? Is it safe, employment wise, to simply pursue a Master's in Aerospace strictly focused on Aero knowing I already have a Mechanical background to fall to if I cannot get my foot in the aero industry rightaway? I'm looking to work in industry rather than academia. Thank you very much!
 
Last edited:

Answers and Replies

  • #2
In my humble opinion I think a masters degree is a good moment to start specializing, because I think you will not have much time afterwards. The point is: do you want to work on aerospace engeneering related position? If so I think you should take into account how good you are and if you will be able to do it. Because if you keep staying in mechanical engeneering it is more likely that though, according to your words you will find it easier to find a job, it will be in something probably less related to aerospace industry. I don't know if I made myself clear, but I would go for aerospace
 

Suggested for: Unsure of which Master's Program to Pursue

Replies
5
Views
890
Replies
15
Views
2K
Replies
15
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
621
Replies
10
Views
992
Replies
20
Views
415
Replies
22
Views
813
Back
Top